How Students Are Embracing a Culture of Support
Schools are the prime location for learning, but they can often be a high-pressure environment that places a lot of stress and expectations on students to perform well. A study published in the journal Psychological Bulletin found that students of the current generation face more expectations of perfection than previous generations. This pressure often leads to competitiveness and individualism in their lives.
Not only does this affect their academic life, but a previous post on “How to Break the Cycle of Perfectionism” notes that unhealthy perfectionism can lead to higher rates of anxiety and depression. As such, support is becoming increasingly prioritized in the classroom, not just from teachers to students but also among students themselves.
Encouraging and uplifting each other can be crucial for dismantling competitive behavior and the fear of failure while building a stronger learning community and a more positive learning environment. Here’s how students are embracing a culture of support to achieve better together:
Collaborative technology
Technology has become much more important in education in recent years and has allowed students to access various resources and learning materials to aid in their studies. Tech has also made the process of learning more collaborative, fostering an online community for students across schools and countries.
Note-sharing platform Studocu has connected 25 million students from 21,000 institutions worldwide and empowered them to share study notes with each other. Students can look up notes from their school’s courses, tap into material from other schools, and share their own to help out fellow learners. This creates a two-way exchange that develops a strong learning community worldwide. With mutual aid enabled by platforms like Studocu, students can feel fulfilled by guiding each other to success.
Collaboration benefits everyone involved. When you remove the individualistic culture that focuses more on yourself, you’re no longer limited to your abilities and knowledge. Sharing your resources and learning from others can help foster success for all.
Peer support
Students can be very influential to each other’s learning and life experiences, especially regarding mental health. Pressure and negativity in the classroom can be detrimental to a student, and no one better understands this plight than other students.
Peer support can be instrumental in fostering academic excellence and a more positive learning environment that benefits all students. A write-up from The 74 notes that these opportunities let students advocate for themselves and others, building stronger and healthier communities in school.
Young people can greatly affect fellow young people’s perceptions of mental health issues and their likelihood of seeking help. As such, programs like Active Minds and organizations like GENup have empowered the youth to support one another and transform mental health culture.
Embracing a culture of support goes beyond work or academic performance; it’s also instrumental in improving overall wellness. A healthy community built on empathy and care ensures everybody has equal access to the support they need, whether in work, school, or life.
Networking and opportunities
Schools can be a breeding ground for competition when students are ranked or gain special privileges for their performance. This culture can lead to feelings of isolation or inferiority, leading to an unsupportive environment where everyone is trying to protect their standing. When students embrace a culture of support rather than competition, opportunities abound for everyone.
Students don’t need to feel inferior when their academic performance doesn’t provide them with privileges or opportunities. Instead, they can connect with others to find something that works for them.
Peer-to-peer platforms like the INTO Community, created by the international education organization INTO University Partnerships, promote student networking for support, particularly for international students. These students may have a harder time accessing opportunities abroad, so having a digital community helps them access advice and mentorship for guidance.
Supporting each other gives everyone equal access to help and opportunities instead of having them only for a select few. Whether you’re still a student or not, being open about your knowledge and connections can open up a new world to you and to others, ensuring mutual success. We even have helpful resources for those struggling with imposter syndrome.
